Fr.John Fernandes felicitated on his 75th birthday

Fr.John Fernandes felicitated on his 75th birthday

Mtoday news

Mangalore, March 8: Fr. John Fernandes, the professor and head of the Chair in Christianity, celebrated his 75th birthday at Shanthi Kiran, Bajjodi, Nanthoor. A large number of nuns, priests, and lay people from different parishes participated in the event. Some of his friends and well-wishers from Germany had also arrived to convey their best wishes to Fr. Fernandes.

 

 

The Holy Mass was celebrated by Fr. Denis D’Souza, Fr. Joachim Fernandes, Fr. Peter Noronha, and Fr. Vincent Monteiro, and Fr. John Fernandes. A 45-minute documentary on the life of Fr. Fernandes was shown after mass. This documentary, which was directed by Ivan D’Silva, was accompanied by a live commentary from Eric Ozario.

A short stage programme was held after the documentary. Bishop of Mangalore Diocese Dr. Aloysius Paul D’Souza presided over the event. Dr. Vinay Hegde, the chancellor of Nitte University, was the chief guest of the event.

 

 

Dr. Hegde, who has been acquainted with Fr. Fernandes for the past 35 years, lauded Fr. Fernandes and said that he has always worked for communal harmony.

 

 

 

The bishop said in his presidential address that Fr. Fernandes is a disciple of Jesus who has always fought for peace and truth. Blessing Fr. Fernandes, he requested him to accept all future life challenges for the greater glory of God.


In his address, Fr. Fernandes said that he has faith in the philosophy of reflection and action. He also received 12 bouquets from representatives of 12 places.


Born in Pangala on March 7, 1936, Fr. Fernandes completed his doctoral thesis in Germany and served in Rosario, Urwa, Bejai, Hosabettu, Katpadi, and Belman parishes and taught theology at Jeppu Seminary before taking over as the head of the Chair in Christianity. He initiated a number of inter-religious dialogues to ease communal tension and bring about communal harmony in coastal Karnataka.